Bizen ware yohen sake bottle

This is a supreme Bizen yohen sake bottle by the late Rokuro Nakamura, a master craftsman who was the pride of Bizen and celebrated as the "god of sake ware." Created during his final years between the ages of 70 and 80, this masterpiece possesses the finest yohen (kiln-transmutation) glaze imaginable. After throwing the base on a potter's wheel into a bulbous turnip shape, he slowly and carefully hand-formed it into the flattened flask shape that became synonymous with "Rokuro Bizen." Its alluring form, clearly favored by the god of sake ware himself, is exquisite. The reverse side features a magnificent, dark ash-covered yohen, and the thick, deeply fired glaze combined with the powerful swell of the flattened body creates an impact that is impossible to forget once seen. The quality of the clay is also exceptional, retaining a fresh scarlet hue even after intense firing; its faintly reddened surface is the perfect finish for a piece of sake ware intended for long-term use. From the clay to the firing, every aspect of this premium sake bottle is overflowing with the charm expected of a work by the god of sake ware. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Mouth diameter 4.0cm x Body diameter 11.5cm x Body diameter 10.9cm x Height 11.4cm; Capacity approx. 450cc

If you prefer to pay by credit card, the transaction will need to be processed in multiple installments, so please consult with us. Rokuro Nakamura was a salaryman until the end of the war, but in 1945, he began studying under the Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige to hone his skills, eventually establishing his own Rokuro Kiln in 1961. He favored the potter's wheel for creating sake ware such as bottles, though he also worked with slab-building techniques to create teapots, kyusu, and tea bowls. Known for his simple, rustic, and wild style, he placed great importance on the firing process of his unglazed stoneware and devoted significant effort to kiln-loading, which determined the quality of his works. He was designated a Traditional Craftsman in 1986, the same year he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award, and was awarded the Order of the Blue Paulownia Leaves (7th Class) in the spring of 1989. He passed away in April 2004.